“We want our jobs back! Tell that new owner to send his Yank troops away.”
Horses galloped from the other end of the street. Darrell Ryker stepped from his mount. “Any man of mine who fires another shot will lose his job!”
Justin stepped out of the shelter and walked into the middle of the street. “It’s Christmas morning. It’s a day of peace not war.”
Ryker nodded at him and walked toward him.
Harold came out of his saloon, rifle slung against his shoulder. He nodded at Justin. “Here to help.”
A few men who used to work for the judge stepped into the street. “We just want what’s right. We did nothing wrong. We know the land and the ranch. We’d like our jobs back.”
Ryker stared at them, turned to the man next to him. “Hire them back. Anyone who wants a job.”
“But boss—”
“You heard me.” Ryker turned to the streets. “I’ll hire any man. You’ll be treated fairly. I agree with the sheriff. It’s Christmas.”
As if on cue, the church bells started ringing.
Justin grinned. “I think the Lord and Pastor Jim are calling us to celebrate the Lord’s birthday.”
He glanced at Harold.
The saloon owner shrugged. “Why not.”
As an odd group, the ranch hands, saloon owner, Ryker and his troop of men, walked through town. Justin had to laugh when he pictured how they all must look. He nodded to the men and Spencer.
“I’ll meet you at church. I need to go and pick up my wife.”
###
Amelia sat at the kitchen table and read the Christmas story in the Bible. She’d decided that she would not cower by the window and wait for bad news. No. She refused to give in to fear. Instead, whenever Justin had a dangerous job to do, she’d go to the kitchen table and read the Bible. The Lord was her shepherd and his.
It wasn’t long and she heard steps on the porch. She didn’t move. Kept her eyes glued to the Word, and drank in a peace that wasn’t of her doing.
The door opened. “I’m home. Ready to go to church?”
She breathed a thank you to the Lord, bolted from her chair, and ran into Justin’s arms. “I’m ready.”
“You weren’t worried were you?”
“No. Not a bit.”
His face took on a hurt pout. “Not even a little?”
She laughed. “Nope. Well, maybe a little. But I decided that I would take my troubles to the Lord and let Him sort it out.”
He kissed her. “I love you.”
“So, what happened?”
“Oh, just a little disagreement. All worked out. For now anyway. You’re going to be surprised at who is in church this morning.”
She fixed his collar. “Who would that be?”
He held the door for her. “Ryker, Harold, cowboys new and old from the Box X.”
The sun was bright and the sky blue. “What a glorious morning. That is a surprise. God does have His ways doesn’t He?”
She stopped and turned. Justin was standing on their porch with the sweetest smile. “What?”
He came to her. “Just you. I am amazed at the Lord’s goodness to give you to me. I am the happiest man alive.”
She kissed him. “I love you, sweetie. Now, I want to go see this mob in church.” She practically ran to church with Justin pulling her back.
Inside, she found her parents, and they sat beside them. She grinned at how she felt so different. She was a woman now. She could see it in the way folks looked at her. Even her mother and father.
Pastor Jim gave a tender telling of the Christmas story and how Jesus gave up heaven to be born a human baby. Amelia’s heart sang the worship hymns over and over. Peace settled over her.
Finished, he had the congregation greet one another.
Tilly stood. “Sweet people of Bluebonnet. My sister and I have brought our famous peach brandy for those who imbibe and jars of peaches for those who don’t. And we have a special present for our sheriff and deputy. Justin and Spencer, will you come forward?”
Amelia giggled but kept the secret.
Justin and Spencer stood awkwardly in front of the church. Tilly brought out two bundles wrapped and adorned with big red bows.
Sully handed one to Justin. “I hope you like it. We weren’t sure about the colors, but they worked out fine.”
Tilly handed one to Spencer. “Open them.”
Clearly embarrassed, the two men opened the packages.
Justin pulled out two peach-colored scarves, one small and one huge. He stared at Tully. “Thank you, ladies.”
Spencer had the same although his were blue.
“Sister, explain to them what we’ve done.” Tilly giggled.
“Oh, well, the small one is for you, and the larger one is for your horse. We weren’t sure the animals would appreciate them, so we borrowed them and tried it on each horse. It made them happy, didn’t it, sister?”
“Yes, my how those animals looked and looked at the scarves we made for them.”
Snickers swept through the congregation.
Justin looked like he wanted to erupt in laughter, but nodded until he could talk. “Thank you, ladies. You two are the kindest and most thoughtful people I know.”
Spencer grinned. “Can’t wait to put it on.”
Amelia ran to her husband and smiled at him. “I’m so proud of you.”
Chapter 20
Sally couldn’t believe the week had passed so quickly. Yet, she knew the Lord had used that week to let her love for Wills grow, and by the way he looked at her, his love for her had grown, too.
“Turn, dear.”
Sally turned and turned as Mya and Cornelia fixed this and that.
“I think I’m ready. Surely the music will start any moment.”
Mya hugged her. “I am so happy for you.”
Cornelia smiled. “I am, too. Oh, how I wish I had lived my life differently. I am determined to go forward into a new life. You’ve given me courage, Sally. I have a lot of people to ask forgiveness from, but I wanted you to know I did talk with Pastor Jim. I am excited for you and myself.”
Sally took a risk and hugged Cornelia. “We’ll walk this new life a day at a time. All of us.”
The organ began playing.
Sally took in a deep breath and walked toward Mya.
Cornelia joined her.
Beaming with love, Mya held the door for them.
Sally looked down the aisle and saw Wills.
He tilted his head and grinned.
Slowly, she walked to him. To the one she loved. She was going home.
Cornelia handed her to Wills and then stood to the side.
Sally’s heart beat triple time as she held his hand and his warmth traveled through her.
Pastor Jim spoke the vows to each of them. Sure and steady, Wills answered with no hesitation.
Sally repeated hers. And as sure as the sun rises in the morning, without a doubt, said “I do.”
Wills kissed her, and she drank in the love he offered her. Freely they gave to one another and pledged their lives.
Sally smiled as they turned to face the congregation. She was starting a new year and a new life. She breathed in the peace and joy of the moment. As Pastor Jim had said when he counseled her, God is good.
Yancy’s Bride
Nettie watched as Yancy limped toward the barn. She worried about him. He seemed so broken as if more had snapped than his leg. He no longer fought with Reed over every little chore. He no longer threatened to ride away. He no longer seemed to enjoy life.
She licked the envelope. She hadn’t told Reed of her idea. Mostly because she didn’t want him to say no. Bolstered by her successful venture with Wills and Sally, Nettie had decided to help Yancy. He needed help, and she intended to give it to him.
Grabbing her wrap, she stepped onto the porch.
Reed was brushing the bay mare he’d trained for her. A beautiful horse that Nettie couldn’t wait to ride. She walked tow
ard him. “Reed, I need to go into town.”
He looked up and frowned. “Today? Why?”
“Oh, I need a few things at the store, and I’d like to visit with my nephew.” Her stomach roiled. Hand to mouth, she ran to the side of the house. She didn’t feel ill, but the last few mornings, she’d been sick.
Reed came to her side. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, fine. I feel wonderful.”
He grinned at her. “You are beautiful. I think you’re getting prettier every day. And with the morning sun shining on your hair, well, I love you, woman. Of course, I can take you into town.”
“Is the bay mare ready for me to ride?”
“Not yet. Soon though.” He crossed his arms. “I thought you said you needed some supplies.”
“Oh, I do. Guess we better take the wagon.”
Yancy came from the barn. “Want me to hitch up the team?”
Nettie went to him and felt his forehead. “I don’t want you to overwork yourself. It takes time to heal a broken leg.” He didn’t feel warm, but she worried about the lack of spark in his eyes.
Reed tapped his shoulder. “I’ll help.”
Soon they were in Bluebonnet. Reed stopped the wagon in front of Clark’s store and helped her down. “I’m going to the feed store and pick up a few things. Talk to Ben to see if he’d be interested in any of our horses.”
“I’ll get my things ordered and then visit with Mya.” Reed drove the wagon away. When he was out of sight, she slipped inside the store and handed her list to Gracy. “I’ll be back later to pick up my items.”
“You are looking beautiful, Nettie. Married life sure agrees with you.”
Nettie grinned. “I am happy. Oh, by the way, do you have anything that helps settle a queasy stomach?”
Gracy grinned. “Well, crackers can do that.”
“Add that to my list, please.” Nettie wondered of her knowing grin, but she was on a mission. After saying her goodbyes, she practically ran to the post office. With relief, she left Emily Titus and her never-ending questions and went to Mya’s boarding house.
Cornelia greeted her at the door. “Oh, Nettie. Just the person I wanted to see. Come sit down so we can talk.”
Nettie sat down. “Yes?”
Cornelia stared at her. “You look so beautiful today. Oh, what I wanted to ask, could you send an ad for me to find a husband? I’m only thirty-eight. And since I have started my new life, I believe I can make a good wife for a good man.”
“Oh, Cornelia. I would love to. Think about what you want to ask and get back to me. The paper I have been corresponding with is eager to have me send them more letters.” She refrained from telling her that she’d just sent a letter for Yancy.
You can read the rest of the story:
Coming in 2016
Yancy’s Bride
Book 3
Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch
Bluebonnet, Texas
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed this story. The characters and their stories always surprise me, but along the way, I hope they entertained and encouraged you. Thank you for purchasing the book or reading it on Kindle Unlimited.
Blessings,
Patricia PacJac Carroll
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A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 16
